Media-storing fixed frame, computer casing, and computer host

ABSTRACT

A media-storing fixed frame, a computer casing and a computer host are disclosed. The computer host includes a host frame, a media-storing reader, and an operation panel. The media-storing reader is fixed in the host frame, and the media-storing reader having a setting direction relative to the host frame is changeable. The operation panel is detachably fixed on an outside portion of the host frame, and the operation panel defines a referring direction that is changeable. When the computer host is vertical or horizontal, a setting direction of the media-storing reader and a setting direction of the operation panel are changeable according to user&#39;s operation habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to computer casing, and particularly relates to a casing including a media-storing reader that can be set vertically or horizontally according to a setting direction of a computer host.

2. Description of the Related Art

A computer host has a casing and many electronic components. Whatever the casing and the electronic components are vertical or horizontal, they can work normally. However, a media-storing reader such as a tray CD-ROM driver needs to be set horizontal for user to take or put CD-ROM disk in the media-storing reader. Although the tray CD-ROM driver can work in a vertical direction, it is inconvenient for user to take or put the CD-ROM disk. Hence, some vertical tray CD-ROM driver designs a fixed structure for fixing the CD-ROM disk and guiding correctly the CD-ROM disk into the tray CD-ROM driver. Actually, the CD-ROM driver is almost set horizontally for user to put the CD-ROM disk in the CD-ROM driver.

According to above-mentioned need, for business personal computer product, desk computer can be a vertical type or a horizontal type. The difference between the vertical type and the horizontal type is that a setting direction of a media-storing reader such as the CD-ROM driver is different. Because a fixed frame of the computer host is fixed by predetermined direction and cannot change, the media-storing reader needs to be fixed in a predetermined direction according to the setting direction of the fixed frame. In other words, the setting direction of the media-storing reader is fixed and cannot be changed in the prior art.

Moreover, for mating with the needs of the media-storing application, the computer host further has an operation panel assembled on a front face of the casing thereof. The operation panel has a display unit for showing related information and a plurality of function buttons for user to turn on corresponding media-storing functions rapidly. Hence, the user can turn on the media-storing functions without using the operation system of the computer host. The operation panel is always set by a vertical direction for user to identify words and figure on the display unit easily. Hence, the setting direction of the operation panel needs to be set vertically whatever the setting direction of the computer host is vertical or horizontal.

However, for user, the setting direction of the computer host needs to be changed according to user's need. For example, the computer host is horizontal originally. However, the setting direction of the computer host needs to be changed into vertical direction due to space need. Besides, the fixed frame for fixing the CD-ROM driver and the operation panel are horizontal in order to mate with the setting direction of the computer host. Hence, it is inconvenient for user to take or put the CD-ROM disk in the CD-ROM driver due to the vertical CD-ROM driver. Moreover, the setting direction of the operation panel is rotated by 90 degrees, so the words and the figures are rotated by 90 degrees. Hence, it is inconvenient for user to identify the words and the figures due to vertical setting direction of the operation panel. Therefore, it is an important question for designer to design a new fixed frame and a new operation panel, and their setting direction is changeable according to user's operation habit or the setting direction of the computer host.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One particular aspect of the present invention is to provide a media-storing fixed frame, a computer casing and a computer host. The computer host has a media-storing reader and an operation panel. Both the media-storing reader and the operation panel have a setting direction that is changeable according to the setting direction of the computer host and user's operation habit.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned aspects, the present invention provides a media-storing fixed frame, a computer casing, and a computer host. The computer host includes a host frame, a media-storing reader, and an operation panel. The media-storing reader is fixed in the host frame, and the media-storing reader having a setting direction relative to the host frame is changeable. The operation panel is detachably fixed on an outside portion of the host frame, and the operation panel defines a referring direction that is changeable. When the computer host is vertical or horizontal, a setting direction of the media-storing reader and a setting direction of the operation panel are changeable according to user's operation habit.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned aspects, the present invention provides a media-storing fixed frame that makes a media-storing reader assembled therein and is fixed in a host frame of a computer casing. The media-storing fixed frame includes two first lateral walls parallel to each other and two second lateral walls parallel to each other. The two first and the two second lateral walls are surroundingly assembled together to form an assembly hole for receiving and fixing the media-storing reader. Each first lateral wall and each second lateral wall have a length equal to or larger than a max width of the media-storing reader, so the media-storing reader is selectively parallel to the first lateral walls or the second lateral walls in order to fix the media-storing reader between the two second lateral walls or the two first lateral walls.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned aspects, the present invention provides a casing selectively set by a vertical or a horizontal direction. The casing includes a host frame, and a fixed frame for making a media-storing reader fixed therein. The fixed frame is detachably fixed in the host frame, so a setting direction of the media-storing reader relative to the host frame is changeable.

The key feature of the present invention is that the setting directions of the media-storing reader and the operation panel are changeable according to the setting direction of the computer host. Hence, however the computer host is vertical or horizontal, the setting directions of the media-storing reader and the operation panel are changeable according to user's operation habit.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a vertical computer host according to the first embodiment of the present;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a horizontal computer host according to the first embodiment of the present;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vertical computer host according to the first embodiment of the present;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a horizontal computer host according to the second embodiment of the present;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fixed frame according to the second embodiment of the present;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a vertical computer host according to the first embodiment of the present; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a horizontal computer host according to the second embodiment of the present.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the first embodiment of the present invention provides a computer host, including a casing 100 placed by a vertical direction or a horizontal direction, a media-storing reader 120 fixed in the casing 100, and other electronic components (not shown) that are used to constitute the computer host. The casing 100 has a host frame 130, a fixed frame 110 for fixing media-storing devices, a shield 140, and an operation panel 150.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the host frame 130 is used to receive the other electronic components. A front face of the host frame 130 is shown as a long rectangular shape. The host frame 130 has two long lateral sides 130 b corresponding to each other and two short lateral sides 130 c corresponding to each other. The host frame 130 has an assembly opening 131 and a receiving opening 132 formed on the front face thereof, respectively. The assembly opening 131 and the receiving opening 132 are arranged along a direction horizontal to two long lateral sides 130 b in sequence in order to expose some inner predetermined portions of the host frame 130. The assembly opening 131 is shown as a rectangular shape. The host frame 130 has a plurality of first embedded grooves 131 a and second embedded grooves 132 a. Each first embedded groove 131 a is formed on a middle section of each side of the assembly opening 131. Each second embedded groove 132 a is formed on a middle section of each side of the receiving opening 132. The fixed frame 110 is fixed in the host frame 130 and has an assembly hole 110 a for receiving and fixing one or more than one media-storing reader 120 therein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the media-storing reader 120 has a setting direction in the fixed frame 110 is changeable according to a setting direction of the host frame 130. Hence, the setting direction of the media-storing reader 120 is changeable according to user's usage habit.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 again, the shield 140 is cover on one part of the assembly opening 131. The media-storing reader 120 is exposed via an exposure hole 141 of the shield 140. One part of the assembly hole 110 a for receiving the media-storing reader 120 is exposed via the exposure hole 141. The shield 140 has a plurality of hooks 142 and each hook 142 is formed on a middle section of each side thereof for respectively embedding into the first embedded grooves 131 a. The shield 140 having a setting direction relative to assembly opening 131 is changeable according to the setting direction of the media-storing reader 120, so the exposure hole 141 always corresponds to the media-storing reader 120.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the operation panel 150 is embedded in the receiving opening 132 and is detachably fixed on an outside portion of the host frame 130. Both the operation panel 150 and the receiving opening 132 are shown as a rectangular shape. The operation panel 150 is embedded in the receiving opening 132 by any directions according to user's need. The operation panel 150 has an operation interface electrically connected to the electronic components disposed in the host frame 130, so a user can operate the operation interface to control the computer host. The operation interface of the operation panel 150 has a display unit 151 a and a plurality of function buttons 151 b. The display unit 151 a is used to show state information about the operation of the computer host. Each function button 151 b has a corresponding input function. After a user pressing one of the function buttons, a corresponding function signal is triggered. The operation panel 150 defines a referring direction A horizontal to a reading direction of words and figures shown in the display unit 151 a. Because it needs to be convenient for users to read words and figures shown in the display unit 151 a and on the function buttons 151 b, the referring direction A relative to the host frame 130 is changeable. In other word, the setting direction of the operation panel 150 is changeable according to the setting direction of the host frame 130. The operation panel 150 has a plurality of hooks 152, and each hook 152 is formed on a middle section of each side thereof in order to embed each hook 152 into the corresponding second embedded groove 132 a and receive the operation panel 150 in the receiving opening 132.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the computer host is vertically disposed on a plane. The long lateral side 130 b of the host frame 130 is vertical to the plane. The short lateral side 130 c of the host frame 130 is horizontal to the plane. The media-storing reader 120 is horizontal to the plane and the two short lateral sides 130 c. The media-storing reader 120 is received in the assembly hole 110 a of the fixed frame 110 in order to fix the media-storing reader 120 in the fixed frame 110. Hence, when the casing 100 is vertical, it is easy for user to operate the media-storing reader 120 that is horizontal. The hooks 142 of the shield 140 are embedded in the first embedded grooves 131 a of the assembly opening 131 for closing the assembly opening 131. The exposure hole 141 of the shield 140 is corresponding to a setting position of the media-storing reader 120. The media-storing reader 120 is exposed by the exposure hole 141 in order to change CD-ROW in the media-storing reader 120 for users. At the same time, the referring direction A of the operation panel 150 is horizontal to the short lateral side 130 c of the host frame 130. The operation panel 150 is fixed in the receiving opening 132 for user to read or operate the operation panel 150 easily via the referring direction A of the operation panel 150.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the computer host is horizontally disposed on a plane. The short lateral side 130 c of the host frame 130 is vertical to the plane. The long lateral side 130 b of the host frame 130 is horizontal to the plane. The media-storing reader 120 is horizontal to the plane and the two long lateral sides 130 b. The media-storing reader 120 is received in the assembly hole 110 a of the fixed frame 110 in order to fix the media-storing reader 120 in the fixed frame 110. Hence, when the casing 100 is horizontal, it is easy for user to operate the media-storing reader 120 that is horizontal. The hooks 142 of the shield 140 are embedded in the first embedded grooves 131 a of the assembly opening 131 for closing the assembly opening 131. The exposure hole 141 of the shield 140 is corresponding to a setting position of the media-storing reader 120. The media-storing reader 120 is exposed by the exposure hole 141 in order to change CD-ROW disk in the media-storing reader 120 for users. At the same time, the referring direction A of the operation panel 150 is horizontal to the long lateral side 130 b of the host frame 130. The operation panel 150 is fixed in the receiving opening 132 for user to read or operate the operation panel 150 easily via the referring direction A of the operation panel 150.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a front view of a fixed frame 110 of the first embodiment. One or more than one media-storing reader 120 is assembled in the fixed frame 110. The media-storing reader 120 can be a CD-ROM drive. The fixed frame 110 has a cross-section shown as a rectangular shape. The fixed frame 110 has an assembly hole 110 a for receiving the media-storing reader 120. The fixed frame 110 has two first lateral walls 111 parallel to each other and two second lateral walls 112 parallel to each other. Each first lateral wall 111 and each second lateral wall 112 have a length equal to or larger than a max width of the media-storing reader 120. In other words, the assembly hole 110 a has a width horizontal to an extending direction of the first lateral walls 111 and a width horizontal to an extending direction of the second lateral walls 112. The two widths are equal to or larger than the max width of the media-storing reader 120. Hence, the setting direction of the media-storing reader 120 relative to the fixed frame is changeable according to user's need. In other words, the media-storing reader 120 can be fixed between two first lateral walls 111 or between two second lateral walls 112 according to user's need. Referring to FIG. 5, the media-storing reader 120 can be horizontal to the first lateral walls 111 and be received in the assembly holes 110 a. The two sides of the media-storing reader 120 abut against the two second lateral sides 112, and the media-storing reader 120 is fixed horizontally between the two second lateral sides 112. The media-storing reader 120 can be vertical to the second lateral walls 112 and be received in the assembly holes 110 a. The two sides of the media-storing reader 120 abut against the two first lateral sides 111, and the media-storing reader 120 is fixed vertically between the two first lateral sides 111

Referring to FIG. 5, each first lateral wall 111 and each second lateral wall 112 have a plurality of guiding pieces vertically projected therefrom and extended along an assembly direction of the fixed frame 110. Each first lateral wall 111 has two guiding pieces 113 along a direction parallel thereto in order to divide the assembly hole 110 a into three assembly areas. Each second lateral wall 112 has two guiding pieces 113 along a direction parallel thereto in order to divide the assembly hole 110 a into three assembly areas. Each assembly area has a cross-section shown as a long rectangular shape. Each assembly area can receive a media-storing reader 120. Hence, when the media-storing reader 120 is received in the assembly hole 110 a, the media-storing reader 120 can be received in any one of the assembly areas. According to user's need, the setting direction of the media-storing reader 120 relative to the fixed frame 110 is changeable. For example, the media-storing reader 120 can be horizontal to the first lateral walls 111 and be received in one of the predetermined assembly areas via the guide of the two opposite guiding pieces 113 of the second lateral walls 112. Alternatively, the media-storing reader 120 can be horizontal to the second lateral walls 112 and be received in one of the predetermined assembly areas via the guide of the two opposite guiding pieces 113 of the first lateral walls 111. Moreover, the two sides of the media-storing reader 120 abut between two first lateral sides 111 or two second lateral sides 112, and many screws 121 respectively pass through many through holes 122 of the first lateral wall 111 or the second lateral wall 112 in order to lock the media-storing reader 120 in the assembly hole 110 a of the fixed frame 110.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a computer host of the second embodiment is disclosed. The computer host includes a casing 200, a media-storing reader 220 fixed in the casing 200, and other electronic components (not shown) that are used to constitute the computer host. The casing 200 has a fixed frame 210, a host frame 230, a shield 240, and an operation panel 250.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 again, the fixed frame 210 is used to receive one or more than one media-storing reader 220 therein. The fixed frame 210 has a cross-section shown as a rectangular shape and has an assembly hole 211. The media-storing reader 220 is received in the assembly hole 211, and two sides of the media-storing reader 220 abut against two opposite sides of the assembly hole 211 in order to make the media-storing reader 220 horizontally fixed in the assembly hole 211. The host frame 230 is used to receive the other electronic components. A front face of the host frame 230 is shown as a long rectangular shape. The host frame 230 has two long lateral sides 230 b corresponding to each other and two short lateral sides 230 c corresponding to each other. The host frame 230 has an assembly opening 231 and a receiving opening 232 formed on the front face thereof, respectively. The assembly opening 231 and the receiving opening 232 are arranged along a direction horizontal to two long lateral sides 230 b in sequence in order to expose some inner predetermined portions of the host frame 230.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 again, the fixed frame 210 is detachably fixed in the host frame 230, and the fixed frame 210 corresponds to the assembly opening 231 in order to make the media-storing reader 220 assembled in the assembly hole 211 of the fixed frame 210 via the assembly opening 231. The assembly opening 231 is shown as a rectangular shape, so the fixed frame 210 is selectively fixed in the host frame 230 by any different directions and the setting direction of the media-storing reader 220 relative to the fixed frame 210 is changeable. In other words, after the fixed frame 210 takes out, the fixed frame 210 is rotated by 90 degrees along a long axle direction and then the fixed frame 210 is received in the host frame 230 through the assembly opening 231 again. At the same time the media-storing reader 220 is rotated by 90 degrees due to the fixed frame 210. Hence, the media-storing reader 220 can be selectively parallel to the short lateral sides 230 c of the host frame 230 or parallel to the long lateral sides 230 b of the host frame 230 in order to change the setting direction of the media-storing reader 220 according to user's usage habit.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 again, the shield 240 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The shield 240 is cover on one part of the assembly opening 131. The media-storing reader 220 or one part of the assembly hole 210 a for receiving the media-storing reader 220 is exposed via an exposure hole 241 of the shield 240. The shield 240 having a setting direction relative to assembly opening 231 is changeable according to the setting direction of the media-storing reader 220, so the exposure hole 241 always corresponds to the media-storing reader 220.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 again, the operation panel 250 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The operation panel 250 is embedded in the receiving opening 232 and is detachably fixed on an outside portion of the host frame 230. Both the operation panel 250 and the receiving opening 232 are shown as a rectangular shape. The operation panel 250 is embedded in the receiving opening 232 by any directions according to user's need. The operation panel 250 defines a referring direction A. The referring direction A relative to the host frame 230 is changeable. In other word, the setting direction of the operation panel 250 is changeable according to the setting direction of the host frame 230.

Referring to FIG. 6, the computer host is vertically disposed on a plane. The long lateral side 230 b of the host frame 230 is vertical to the plane. The short lateral side 230 c of the host frame 230 is horizontal to the plane. The fixed frame 210 and the media-storing reader 220 can be rotated along a long axle direction of the fixed frame 210, so the media-storing reader 220 is horizontal to the plane. The fixed frame 210 is received and fixed in the host frame 230 through the assembly opening 231. Hence, when the computer host is vertical, the media-storing reader 220 is horizontal. The shield 240 is used to close the assembly opening 231. The exposure hole 241 of the shield 240 is corresponding to a setting position of the media-storing reader 220. The media-storing reader 220 is exposed by the exposure hole 241. At the same time, the referring direction A of the operation panel 250 is horizontal to the short lateral side 230 c of the host frame 230. The operation panel 250 is fixed in the receiving opening 232 for user to read or operate the operation panel 250 easily via the referring direction A of the operation panel 250. Therefore, when the casing 200 is vertical, the media-storing reader 220 is set horizontally. The referring direction A of the operation panel 250 is vertical for user to read and operate the media-storing reader 220 easily.

Referring to FIG. 7, the computer host is horizontally disposed on a plane. The short lateral side 230 c of the host frame 230 is vertical to the plane. The long lateral side 230 b of the host frame 230 is horizontal to the plane. The fixed frame 210 and the media-storing reader 220 can be rotated by 90 degrees and along a long axle direction of the fixed frame 210, so the media-storing reader 220 is horizontal to the plane. The fixed frame 210 is received and fixed in the host frame 230 through the assembly opening 231. Hence, when the computer host is horizontal, the media-storing reader 220 is horizontal. The shield 240 is used to close the assembly opening 231. The exposure hole 241 of the shield 240 is corresponding to a setting position of the media-storing reader 220. The media-storing reader 220 is exposed by the exposure hole 241. At the same time, the referring direction A of the operation panel 250 is horizontal to the long lateral side 230 b of the host frame 230. The operation panel 250 is fixed in the receiving opening 232 for user to read or operate the operation panel 250 easily via the referring direction A of the operation panel 250. Therefore, when the casing 200 is horizontal, the media-storing reader 220 is set horizontally. The referring direction A of the operation panel 250 is vertical for user to read and operate the media-storing reader 220 easily.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred best molds thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A computer host, comprising: a casing having a host frame; a media-storing reader fixed in the host frame, wherein the media-storing reader having a setting direction relative to the host frame is changeable; and an operation panel detachably fixed on an outside portion of the host frame, and the operation panel defining a referring direction that is changeable, wherein the operation panel has a plurality of function buttons for triggering corresponding function signals after pressing the function buttons.
 2. The computer host as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fixed frame fixed in the host frame, wherein the media-storing reader is assembled in the fixed frame.
 3. The computer host as claimed in claim 2, wherein the setting direction of the media-storing reader in the fixed frame is changeable.
 4. The computer host as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixed frame is detachably fixed in the host frame, so the setting direction of the media-storing reader relative to the host frame is changeable.
 5. The computer host as claimed in claim 1, wherein the host frame has an assembly opening corresponding to the fixed frame, and the casing further comprises a shield for closing one part of the assembly opening and exposing the media-storing reader.
 6. The computer host as claimed in claim 1, wherein the host frame has a receiving opening for receiving the operation panel, and both the operation panel and the receiving opening are shown as a rectangular shape.
 7. A media-storing fixed frame for making a media-storing reader assembled therein and fixed in a host frame of a computer casing, comprising: two first lateral walls parallel to each other and two second lateral walls parallel to each other, wherein the two first and the two second lateral walls are surroundingly assembled together to form an assembly hole for receiving and fixing the media-storing reader; wherein each first lateral wall and each second lateral wall have a length equal to or larger than a max width of the media-storing reader, so the media-storing reader is selectively parallel to the first lateral walls or the second lateral walls in order to fix the media-storing reader between the two second lateral walls or the two first lateral walls.
 8. The media-storing fixed frame as claimed in claim 7, wherein each first lateral wall has a plurality of through hole, and many screws respectively pass through the through holes in order to lock two sides of the media-storing reader on the two first lateral wall.
 9. The media-storing fixed frame as claimed in claim 7, wherein each second lateral wall has a plurality of through hole, and many screws respectively pass through the through holes in order to lock two sides of the media-storing reader on the two first lateral wall.
 10. The media-storing fixed frame as claimed in claim 7, wherein the assembly hole has a cross-section shown as a rectangular shape.
 11. The media-storing fixed frame as claimed in claim 7, wherein each first lateral wall and each second lateral wall have a plurality of guiding pieces vertically projected therefrom and extended along a long axle direction of the media-storing fixed frame for guiding the media-storing reader into the assembly hole.
 12. The media-storing fixed frame as claimed in claim 11, wherein each first lateral wall has two guiding pieces along a direction parallel thereto in order to divide the assembly hole into three assembly areas, each second lateral wall has two guiding pieces along a direction parallel thereto in order to divide the assembly hole into three assembly areas, and the media-storing reader is received in any one of the assembly areas.
 13. The media-storing fixed frame as claimed in claim 12, wherein each assembly area has a cross-section shown as a long rectangular shape, a long lateral side of each assembly area has a length equal to or larger than a width of the media-storing reader, and a short lateral side of each assembly area has a length equal to or larger than a height of the media-storing reader.
 14. A casing selectively set by a vertical or a horizontal direction, comprising: a host frame; and a fixed frame for making a media-storing reader fixed therein, wherein the fixed frame is detachably fixed in the host frame, so a setting direction of the media-storing reader relative to the host frame is changeable.
 15. The casing as claimed in claim 14, wherein the host frame has an assembly opening corresponding to the fixed frame, and the casing further comprises a shield for closing one part of the assembly opening and exposing the media-storing reader.
 16. The casing as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an operation panel detachably fixed on an outside portion of the host frame, wherein the operation panel defines a referring direction that is changeable.
 17. The casing as claimed in claim 16, wherein the host frame has a receiving opening for receiving the operation panel, and both the operation panel and the receiving opening are shown as a rectangular shape.
 18. The casing as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a plurality of embedded grooves, wherein each embedded groove is formed on a middle section of each side of the receiving opening, the operation panel has at least one hook formed on a middle section of one side thereof, and the hook is selectively embedded in one of the embedded groove.
 19. The casing as claimed in claim 16, wherein the operation panel has a display unit for displaying words and figures, and a plurality of function buttons for triggering corresponding function signals after pressing the function buttons. 